Katsumi
Primarily a boy's name of Japanese origin with 265 recorded births. Also given to 5 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A male given name from Japanese.
Katsumi is a boy's and girl's baby name of Japanese origin, combining kanji elements such as 克 katsu ('to overcome, to win') and 己 or 美 mi ('self' or 'beauty'), creating meanings like 'overcoming oneself' or 'beautiful victory.' The name captures the Japanese virtue of self-improvement and disciplined achievement.
Katsumi appears in Japanese martial arts and anime culture — most notably in the acclaimed anime series Haruhi Suzumiya — carrying its victory meaning into popular cultural contexts beyond Japan.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Katsumi is a boy's name with a focused stretch of recorded use (1913–1943). Its Japanese roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
With 265 total births, Katsumi exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Katsumi has 22+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1913.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 10 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 18 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 170 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 67 | — |
The Story of Katsumi
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1923, Katsumi is a name steeped in history. Boys named Katsumi are most likely born between 1913 and 1933.
How rare is Katsumi?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Katsumi is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1913, peaked in the 1920s with 170 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Katsumi by the numbers
- Would fill 6 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(22 years, 1913–1943)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1943 | 5 | #3799 |
| 1940 | 5 | #3711 |
| 1932 | 5 | #4046 |
| 1931 | 5 | #4058 |
| 1930 | 8 | #3159 |
| 1929 | 13 | #2262 |
| 1928 | 12 | #2459 |
| 1927 | 20 | #1775 |
| 1926 | 14 | #2255 |
| 1925 | 21 | #1713 |
| 1924 | 13 | #2410 |
| 1923 | 28 | #1403 |
| 1922 | 17 | #1992 |
| 1921 | 13 | #2437 |
| 1920 | 19 | #1849 |
| 1919 | 16 | #2020 |
| 1918 | 8 | #3248 |
| 1917 | 12 | #2354 |
| 1916 | 11 | #2471 |
| 1915 | 6 | #3631 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Katsumi as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Katsumi has also been given to 5 girls in the U.S. since 2014.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Katsumi a boy's or girl's name?
When was Katsumi most popular?
How popular is the name Katsumi?
Can Katsumi be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1913–1943